Offseason acquisition Tim Thomas added 21 points and sank three
3-pointers in the last three minutes for the Clippers, who ended
their eight-game losing streak in home openers, which was the
longest in the NBA.

"This kind of win we are going to need later down the stretch,"
Thomas said. "It goes a long way and gives us confidence to
know that you can get it done in those crucial times."

Los Angeles erased a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to take a
94-93 lead on a 3-pointer by Thomas with 36 seconds to go.

Following an empty possession by the Nuggets, Cassell stumbled
trying to bait the referee into a foul call against J.R. Smith.

Cassell lost the ball as he was pivoting to pick up his dribble,
allowing Smith to go in uncontested for a two-handed slam with
just 18 seconds remaining. Smith had 21 points in his Denver
debut.

On the ensuing possession, Cassell induced rookie Yakhouba
Diawara into a foul and calmly drained a pair of free throws,
giving Los Angeles a 96-95 lead.

"I can always make free throws," Cassell said. "I am up there
by myself and there is no one to block my shot. The shot is
easy."

Andre Miller, who missed all 11 of his shots, had his layup
blocked out of bounds by Shaun Livingston on the other end,
leaving just six seconds. Earl Boykins' off-balance jumper from
the left elbow failed to hit rim just prior to time expiring.

"In those final 12 seconds we got both the shots we wanted,"
Denver coach George Karl said. "We wanted Andre to the rim and
I thought he got fouled on the play. Then we were giving the
ball to Earl and let him go quick or take a flat shot. I
thought we got great shots on both plays."

Marcus Camby collected 16 points and 18 rebounds and Boykins and
Carmelo Anthony, who was ejected for tossing his headband in
the direction of an official in the third quarter, both added 15
points for the Nuggets, who shot just 39 percent (34-of-88)
from the field.

"Obviously the referees have new edicts that we have to figure
out," Karl said. "And unfortunately we get stuck with a game we
would have won with Melo. The whole thing comes down that we
have to play to these edicts. We have to be a little smarter
and a little more mature. On the road, you have to have poise
that overcomes frustrations."

Anthony, who refused to speak to the media, was another player
to fall victim to the zero tolerance rule implemented by the
league about players whining about calls.

The Nuggets, who failed to avenge a five-game series fall to the
Clippers in the Western Conference playoffs, were the last team
to make their season debut.